Article: Zuma reaches poor, while Mbeki floats above.(News)

Political analyst Frederik van Zyl Slabbert answers questions on Jacob Zuma, the man who prides himself on his Zulu heritage.

South Africa has 11 official languages, many more cultures and a rich and varied cultural history. How is it possible, then, that so many people, from such varied backgrounds, have rallied around Zuma - who deliberately emphasises his Zuluness?

One answer which could be considered is that Zuma has the capacity, like (Mangosuthu) Buthelezi, to traffic between modernity and traditionalism. Buthelezi never denied his Zuluness, but he was quite happy in a modern setting as well. And the same applies to Zuma.

Mbeki could never ...

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